Universal joint.



PATENTED MAR. 19, 1907.

" A. RITTBR.

UNIVERSAL JOINT. APPLICATION FILED APE. 16,1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ZZZ/622507? AM Qkmfl Witnesses.-

04mm 1-way m. 847,439. PATBNIED MAR. 19, 1909.

- A. BITTER,

UNIVERSAL JOINT,

unmnnm FILED An. m, 1906.

6 r I v SHEETS-SHEET s.

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. "S TE PATEN OFFICE. .A1,BE' T]RITTERW ASS S y l UNIVERSAL com-r g I To all tqhont may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT BITTER, a citizen of Switzerland, residing at Jamaica Plain,

Boston, inthe county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Universal Joints or Universal-Angle Couplings,'of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings;

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved universal joint or universal-angle coupling of sim le, strong, and durable construction adapte for use in the propelling mechanism of .automobiles, as well as fitted for employment in various other connections. One special object thereof is to provide a construction in which-the power shall be transmitted on a large circle that is to say, at the outer end. of a radius of other.

has been too small for advantageous action,

appreciable length-thereby lessening the tendency to wear, reducing the extent of the angular play or lost motion between the parts resulting from a given amount of wear, and giving more effective leverage than where the power is transmitted at points closely adjacent the axes of rotation.

Another special object is to provide a construction permitting relative movement of the coupling members in the direction ofth'e length of the shaft-sections which are con and the tendencyto wear has resulted speedily in angular play or lost motion.

The first feature of the invention consists in o eratively combining the two couplinghea s or the, equivalents thereof ofa universal joint or universal-angle coupling with each other by means of telescoping universaljoint connections. v

The invention consists, further, in a universal joint or universal-angle coupling comprising, essentially, a connector-swivel carried by' one of the said coupling-heads and 1 Specification of Letters Patent; Application l'lled Apri1 16,1906. Serial No- 811,914.

.nec'tor-arm, &c., will e sufiicient.

will be employed.

- PatentedMarch 19,1907.

mounted with capacity to turn transversely upon an axis wh1ch is radialor diametrical with relation to-that upon which the said cOu'phng-head rotates, and a connector-arm carried y the other coupling-head, disposed eccentrically with relation to the axis upon which the latterrotates, extending in the direction of the said axis and enga ing with the said,swivel with capacity for re atlve movement in the direction of the length of the connector-arm. For li ht work a single con- For heavier work and when it is desired to distribute l.

- and divide up the strain a plurality of. connector-arms and a suitable arrangement of swivel or swivels to correspond therewith In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of a universal joint or umversal-an 1e coupling containing an embodiment o the invention,

"showing the same mainly in sectionjn a ver tical lane passing through the center of the coup ing'and extending in the direction of the axes of the shaft-sections. Fig. 2 is a view looking from the right-hand side in Fig.

1 with a shaft-section shown in cross-section and with certain portions of the casing removed. Fig. 3 is a detail View in horizontal section on line '3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows in elevation, separately, the connector-swivel of Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Fig. 5 shows an end elevation of the said swivel. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fi 1, showing a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7 is a view in vertical transverse section in the plane indicated by the dotted line6 6 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a third embodiment of the invention.

Having reference to the drawings, Figs. 1 to 5 show a construction contaimng a dia metrical connector-swivel that is carried by one coupling head and two connector-arms that are carried by the other coupling-head and which engage with opposite ends of the said connector-swivel. In such figures, 1 and 2 are shaft-sections, from one of which motion is to be communicated to the other. 3 and 4 are coupling-heads, one thereof being connected with the'shaft-section 1 and the other with the shaft-section 2. 5 is the connectorswivel', it being carried by the coupling-head 3, and 6 6 are the connector-arms, mounted opposite each other upon the coupling-head 4. Shaft-section 1 in this instance is tubular for the sake of lightnessand is formed with a radial. flange 11 at one end thereof, having at- Ioo " outer side. thereof. a circmnfere ntial shoulder 111 of less diameter than the main-- J web of the flange.

Couplin head 3 is formedwith an annulus31, which ts upon the said shoulder against the outer face of the flan e. It'is attached to the latter by means of bo ts 7 7 7, &c., and is formed with a peripheral rim 32, extending laterally therefrom and 1nclosing the connections. It is formed'with alsocket portion 33, in this instance constituted of a shell, within which is a cylindrical chamber, the said chamber extendin idiametrically of the saidcoupling-head an containin the connector-swivel5. The latter is forme with cylindrical end portions havin a turning fit within the chamber aforesai and is reduced in diameter along the intermediate portion of its length, leavingshoulders 51 51, Fig. 4, extending around theiconhector-swivel at opposite sides of the middle of such length, which shoulders receive between them the projectin rim112' upon the end of shaftsection 1. The exteriorof the said rim constitutes a circular shoulder,

ing. taper of t .Which is require which-by engagement with theshoulders 51 51 prevents the connector-swivel from moving in the direction of its own length, although leaving the same free to turn upon its ownlongitudinal axis. The opposite end portions of the connect or-sw'ivel are formed with o en-ended longitudinal slots 52 52, receiving;- .t e connector-arms 6 6. The inner-endsor" bottoms of the said slots are crowned'or convexe'd to accommodate the inclined positions which are assumed by the connector-arms when the axes of the shaft-sections have'an" inclination with relation to each other. i Coupling-head 4 consists of a cross head sleeved uponshaft-section 2 and havin the arms thereof extending at opposite si es of the-said shaftsection. .Thelconnectonarms 6 6 in this instance constitutedbyfpins which project from the opposite arms of coupling-head 4, parallel with the axis of shaft-section 2, towardthe coupling head il. The said ins are rigidly affixed-"to the crosshead. T ey are vdetachably inserted inholesin the 'crosshead and arei'zsechredfin" place by means of'nu-ts which are applied" to the screw threaded ends thereof. .Each

thereof occu v ies one of'theslots'in the connector-swiv and has the opposite sides thereof flattened to fit the side walls "ofthe. said slot. 'Shell 33 is slotted radially at 331 331 at its opposite ends for the "passage of the connector-arms therethrough', the slots being sufiicientlywide to accommodate the.

amount of side lay of'the connector-arms g in order to permitthe desired extent of inclination of the shaft-sections with respect to each other. The sleeve or hub portion of the coupling-head "4 fits upon-the end portion of the shaft-section 2 and is interiorlyltapered to fit the corresponde saidend portion, thefexof the said lubricant; thereto. access of the said lubricant to the different tremity of the latter being screw-threaded and receiving" a. cap-nut 41, by means of which the said. hub is held tightly against its taper'edseat upon the said shaft-section. 24 is a key bymeans of which the coupling-head 4 and shaft-section 2 are compelled to turn in unison. I At 8 is a casing-section surrounding the coupling-head 4 and .a portion of the A section. .of flexi le material, as 9, surrounds the outer portion of the casing-section contacting surfaces of the connector-swivel,

the latteris bored longitudinally, as at 53,

and also has a number of radial holes extending from the. surface thereof inward to and intersect' swivel, and others thereof are located in the enlarged end portions of the latter. Lubricant placed within the said longitudinal bore 'or'finding its wa into the same will pass out through the ra 'al holes to the surfaces of the said connector-swivel, which make contact with the wall of. the chamber within which \the'connector-swivel is contained and ends of such bore between thebottoms of the end slots 52 52 in the connector-swivel and the connectorarms 6 A hole 332, formedthrough the shell 33 and receiving the pm: A jecting portion of the cap-screw 41, permits access of the lubricant to the middle portion pf the said shell; The end of cap-nut 41pmreaka e of one. orbeth of the connectorarms t e engagement of the said end with the edge of theihole will limit the extent of movement of one shaft-section transversely with relation to. the other thereof, and thus will act to prevent-one shaft-section. from dropping out of place with relation to the othe In operation when rotary motion of one of" the shaft-sections is occasioned the engage ment of the connector-swivel and connectorarms with one another causes movement of rotation to be transmittedirom such shaft section to the other. As the parts rotate if the shaft-sections are inclined more or less the longitudinal bore; Certain. 'of these ho es are located in thered'uced middle-portion of the lengthof the connector- {fcts into the said hole, so that in case of.

shaft-section 2,, it being secured by its outer fiange'to an inwardl -turned lip of the rim 32.

8 and the shaft-section 2 and is made fast to with the, 112 and also will pass at the IIO with relation to each other the connectorswivel will rock or turn on its longitudinal axis to accommodate thedifierent angles of.

inclination ofthe arms 6 6 transversely with tudinally within the end slots 52 52 of t econnector-swivel will take placeas the ro-v tation l of the connector-heads in planes which are inclined with respect to each other causes corresponding points on the two connector-heads to approach and then separate from each other. To accommodate the relative endwise movement of the connector arms, holes are made at 334 334 in the coupling-head 3. These holes are closed by a cover or covers 335 335, secured in place'by means of screws 336336. The slots 52 52 permit the radial tiltin of the connectorarms within the same, W 'ch is due to the inclination of one shaft-section with relation to the other. It has vbeen explained that engagement of'the shoulders 51' 51 of the.

swivel 5 with the shoulder 112 of shaft-section 1 prevents endwise movement of the said swivel. It follows from this that by the contact of the connector-arms 6 6 with the bottoms of slots 52 52 the cou ling-head will be restrained from movement n the direction of the length of the swivel, 'while the contact of the sides of the said connector-arms with the oppositeside walls of such slots sponding end thereof will be sustained by means of the universal-joint connections. Conversel ,the proximate end of shaft-section 1 will be supported thereby'if unprovided with a bearing.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a construction. in which one of the shaft-sections is formed with radial sockets, which take the place of a separate coupling-head, and short radial swivels are employed, one for each connectorarm. In such figures the shaft-sections are marked 1 and 2", respectively, the former thereof being provided with the radial sockets, which are designated 3 3 and the other thereof being provided with the couplinghead 4*, carrying the connector-arms 6*? 6*. Within the radial sockets are sustained the short radial'swivels 5 5, one foreach connector-arm, the respective swivels being formed with open-ended slots 52 52 which are entered by the respective connectorarms.

The Walls of the sockets 33 are slotted on the sides thereof adjoining the coupling-head 4*" to permit the required extent of transverse play of the connectorarms. The inner end of each swivel is socketed and'receives the outer portion of an ex-- panding' spiral sprin 3 the inner end 'of which bears against t e bottom of the chamtom and acts by its expansive force to hold the rounded bottom ofthe slot 52 of the swivel pressed against the inneredge of the corresponding connector-arm.- The springs 3 3 enable the swivels to accommodate themselves to a certain extent of displaceline with that of the other. Each swivel rocks or turns upon a radial axis, and in the case of each'swivel and its connector-arm relative movement in the direction of the length ofsuch connector-arm takes place in the rotation of the parts when the shaft-sections are, inclined more or less with relation to each other. In Fig. 6 at 41. is a screw with a flanged head, serving to hold the hub of couplin -head 46 in firm engagement with its tapered seat upon shaft-section 2 and 24 is a key or spline by which the said hub is prevented from turning section.

In the embodiment of the invention which ignated 1 and 2 respectivel the radial flange of the former being mar ed 11', and the coupling-head that is attached to the said flange by the bolts 7 b 7 being designated In this embodiment, 5 5 are radial swivels located at opposite sides of shaftssection 1 and contained in'slotted shells 33 33 with which the coupling-heads 333 is formed,

inner ends of such swivels and the extension 113 of the shaft-section 1 the said springs being contained for the greater portion of are formed in the inner ends of the swivels. The said springs operate to press the swivels outward, soas to keep the bottoms of the slots thereof pressed against the inner edges of the connector-arms 6 6 In this instance the said connector-arms are integral with the hub of the coupling-head 4". .At 24 is the key or spline by which the said coupling-head is prevented from turning upon shaft-section 2. At 33 F334: are the holes which are made in the coupling-head 3 to permit the relative endwise movement of connector-arms 6 6*. To hold the shaftsections with their axes in line with each other, the shaft-section 2 is formed or provided with a prolongation or extensionv beyond the screw-threaded portion thereof which receives the nut 41 by which the hub of coupling-head 4 is held upon such shaft section. This prolongation or extension enters the bore of shaft -section 1 and fits therein. It is made spherical in shape to other, 7

I do not restrict myself in all cases to slo upon the said shaft-.

333", its peripheral rim being marked 32".

pressed between the swivel and the said botment of the axis of one shaft-section out of' is shown in Fig. 8 the shaft-sections are dessprings 3 3 being interposed between the IUO their length within holes or sockets which I permit the two shaft-sections to occupy va- 1 rious inclined positions with relation to each" ber of the socket 3. The spring is comlting the swivel itself forthe reception of the 1 0 connector arm or arms, iiiasmuch as the engagement of the connector arm or arms with the swivel or swivels with capacity for relative longitudinal moveinent and radial swinging may be provided for in other or equivalent manner, nordo I restrict myself to the precise arrangements which are shown and described herein of the connector-arms and "swivels with relation to each other or with res ect to the number thereof.

aving explained the best modes in which I have thus far contemplated carrying the invention into eifect, I claim 1. In a universal joint or universal-angle coupling, the combination with two couplingheads, of a longitudinally-slotted connectorswivel carried by one thereof and arranged to turn around a radial or diametrical axis, and a rigid connector-arm upon the other coupling-head, disposed eccentrically with relation to the axis of rotation of the latter, extending through the slot of the said swivel.

2. In a universal joint, or universal-angle .coupling, the combination with a couplinghead rovided with a rigid connector-arm exten i in the direction of the length of the axis of rotation of the said'coupling-head, of a second coupling-head, and a longitudinally slotted connector swivel connected otherewith, arranged to turn around a radial or diametrical axis, and having the said connectorvarm engaged in the slot thereof.

3; In a universal joint or universal-angle coupling, the combinationwith the couplingheads, of oppositely-located connector-arms rigidly mounted u n'onezof the said heads and extending int e direction of the axis of rotation of such head, and a connector-swivel ,carriedby the other of said heads, arranged 46 w turn transversely upon an axis extending diametrically of; the latter head, and-having opposite slots extending lengthwise of the said axis and receiving the said connectorarms.

4. In a'universal joint or universal-angle coupling, the combination witha couplinghead having connector-arms rigidly mounted thereon and extending in the direction of the length of the axis of rotation of the said coupo ling-head, of the. second coupling-head provided with a diametrical connector-swivel mounted with capacity to turn transversely on the saidsecond coupling-head and having the opposite ends thereof engaged with the respective connector-arms with capacit for relative movement in the direction 0 the length of the latter, and means to hold the said connector-swivel from movement in the direction of the axis thereof. I

5. A universal joint or universal-angle coupling comprising 0 posite couplingheads, a swivel connecte with one thereof adapted to turn or roll transversely with relation to a radius or diameter of such coupling-head, and having a longitudinal slot with crowned or rounded inner end, and a rigid connector-arm upon the other couplinghead, occupying the slot of the said swivel and contacting with the said inner end.

6. A universal -oint or universal-angle coupling comprising opposite couplingheads, a diametrical connector-swivel connected with one thereof and having the oppositely-located longitudinal slots with crowned or 'rounded inner ends, and the rigid connector-arms u on the other coupling-head, occu ying t e slots of the said connector-swivel j 7'. A universal 'oint or universal-angle coupling comprismg opposite couplingheads, rigid connector-arms'carried by one of the said coupling-heads and engaged with the other thereof to cause the two heads to rotate in unison, and a central projection in connection with one of the coupling-heads entering a socket in connection with the other thereof to keep the two coupling-heads properly centered with respect toeach other. 8. A universal joint or universal angle coupling com rising opposite coupling-heads, a diametrica connector swivel carried by one thereof and having longitudinal slots,

means to hold such connector-swivel from longitudinal dis lacement, and rigid connector-arms carrie coupling-heads and making contact with the inner ends or bottoms of thesaid slots.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence'of two witnesses.

'ALBERT RITTER.

Witnesses:

CnAs. F. RANDALL, Enrrn J. ANDERSON.

by the other of the said. 

